By-laws

THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY, INC

CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS

The following By-laws of the ‘Ministerial Alliance of Springfield and Vicinity’ include the most recent revisions that were previously submitted and subsequently ratified in January of 2018.They are presented here for the benefit of those ministers who are considering aligning themselves with this fellowship.

Preamble

In order to secure a more direct understanding on our related objectives, we, the Christian Ministers of Springfield and Vicinity, have agreed and set forth in the following declaration, the purpose of this organized body hereby known as The Ministerial Alliance of Springfield and Vicinity, Inc.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be The Ministerial Alliance of Springfield and Vicinity, Inc.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The major purpose of the alliance is to promote the spread of the Gospel Message and principles of Jesus Christ throughout Springfield and Vicinity. The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and/or social service purposes under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code.

ARTICLE III – NATURE

The Alliance is a NOT-FOR-PROFIT-BODY, which serves as a medium through which the Christian Churches in this area may work in harmony and cooperation with one another, promoting the work of the Kingdom. The Alliance has not, and it shall never have, any ecclesiastical authority over any Church.

ARTICLE IV – OBJECTIVES

The Alliance shall develop and implement its efforts to achieve the following objectives:

To serve as an advocate for the religious community of Springfield and Vicinity.

To promote the improvement of social, political, educational and health conditions, for all citizens of Springfield and Vicinity.

To promote scholastic excellence among the youth of our member Churches.

To promote harmonious efforts among the Pastors and Churches in fellowship, witness, and other Ministries engaged in by this Alliance.

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP

This body shall consist of Christian Pastors and Ministers who are active in their respective Churches.

SECTION 1: All members shall endorse and support the purpose and objectives of the Alliance.

SECTION 2: All members shall regularly attend and participate in the scheduled meetings and activities of the Alliance.

SECTION 3: All members shall maintain their financial obligations to the Alliance.

SECTION 4: All members shall conform to Sections 1, 2, and 3 of Article V of these Bylaws in order to remain in good standing with this Alliance.

SECTION 5: The Alliance retains the right to expel any member, by two-thirds votes of the membership present at a regular meeting, for failure to comply with Section 4 of Article V.

SECTION 4: Only Ministers of the Alliance who are ordained in or by their respective denomination and who have been active members of the Alliance for the last one (1) year or more shall be eligible to hold the office of President or Vice President. Those who run for the offices of President and/or Vice-President must submit evidence of their ordination to the Alliance.

SECTION 5: In the event a vacancy should occur in any office, other than the President’s office, the President shall be authorized to appoint a temporary replacement who shall serve the remainder of the term of that office. The Vice-President will automatically assume the role of President should that office come vacant.

SECTION 6: Any person filling an appointed office may be eligible for election to that office for its full term after completing the appointed term of office.

ARTICLE VII – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1: The President shall preside at all meetings. He/she shall appoint all committee chairpersons; and serve as the chair of the Executive Committee. The President shall also be an ex-officio member of all other committees, and shall set the Agenda for all Alliance meetings.

SECTION 2: The Vice President shall assist the President as assigned and shall perform the duties of the President as needed. If the Vice-President is unable to preside at a meeting in the absence of the President, the task shall go to another Alliance Officer in the following order: Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Chaplain, Parliamentarian.

SECTION 3: The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. He/she shall forward copies of the minutes of each meeting to the active members of this Alliance. Officers and other members of the Alliance shall turn over to the Treasurer all monies received by the Alliance.

SECTION 4: The Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary as needed.

SECTION 5: The Treasurer shall deposit all monies of the Alliance in appropriate accounts as deemed by the Alliance. He/she shall disburse monies by check as authorized by the Alliance. All checks shall have two (2) signatures, which must be signed by the Treasurer, Secretary, President or Senior Advisor of the Alliance.

SECTION 6: The Chaplain shall be responsible for the Devotions and the selections of the speaker for the meditation of the regular meetings of the Alliance.

SECTION 7: The Parliamentarian shall maintain proper decorum during all meetings and shall keep the body informed of the constitutionality of all proceedings.

ARTICLE VIII – FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Each member shall contribute an annual membership fee and any other special offerings as determined by the Alliance.

SECTION 1: The annual membership fee must be paid by the First Saturday in April.

SECTION 2: New members joining after the March meeting will pay a proration of the annual membership fee by the following meeting date.

ARTICLE IX – MEETINGS

The Alliance shall meet on the first (1st) Saturday of each month with the exception of July.

SECTION 1: Biblical principles and Robert’s Rules of Order shall guide the proceedings of each meeting. The Parliamentarian shall bring a copy of Robert’s Rules to each official Alliance business meeting.

SECTION 2: The regular meetings shall provide time for Devotion, Breakfast, Business, Invited Guests, instructional period and any other matters as shall be considered appropriate by the body.

SECTION 3: The meetings shall begin with a Devotion at 8:00 a.m.

SECTION 4: Members in good standing who currently meet the criteria for membership as defined in Article V of these Bylaws shall be eligible to vote on any business matters pertaining to the Alliance. “Good standing” includes those members who have been exempted from paying dues to the Alliance.

SECTION 5: The calendar year January 1 through December 31 shall constitute the fiscal year of the Alliance.

SECTION 6: A quorum consisting of one-third of the members in good standing must be present in order to conduct official business. The President, or other person presiding, will see to it that a Quorum is present (through roll-call or other means) before conducting official business.

ARTICLE X – ELECTIONS

SECTION 1: Officer Elections shall be held on the First Saturday in May at the end of every two (2) years. The elective year shall begin on the First Saturday of June.

SECTION 2: A nominating committee, appointed by the President in March shall present the nominees in April, and shall oversee the Officer Elections.

SECTION 3: All nominees must be in good standing pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws.

SECTION 4: Nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the elections.

SECTION 5: Officer Elections shall be made by secret ballot. A simple majority of those voting shall be sufficient for elections.

SECTION 6: Absentee votes will be accepted by the nominating committee up to the day of the election.

ARTICLE XI – INSTALLLATIONS

Installation services for the newly elected officers shall be held immediately following the conclusion of business, on the same day of the election.

ARTICLE XII – STANDING COMMITTEES

SECTION 1: The functions of these Committees are:

PROGRAM: Be responsible for all Special Services that the Alliance chooses to sponsor.

2. SOCIAL ACTION: Pursue ways to maintain communication with social agencies to insure that the Alliance is responsive to the needs of the people. Keep the Alliance advised of the current social needs and available resources.

3. HEALTH/WELFARE: Be responsible for referring disadvantaged persons to the appropriate agency for assistance.

4. PUBLIC RELATIONS: Be responsible for informing the media and other appropriate persons or organizations of matters authorized by the Alliance.

5. EDUCATION: Be responsible for the presentation of non-denominational topics during our educational period. Such topics to include: A review of the Bible; Ministerial Ethics, Greek and Hebrew Word Studies. Monitor selected issues of parochial and public schools. Coordinate the Alliance’s Scholarship program as directed by the body.

6. ENTERTAINMENT: Be responsible for planning and implementing whatever social functions the Alliance chooses to sponsor.

7. POLITCAL CONCERNS: Strive to create an atmosphere where there is mutual exchange of ideas in the political arena, while monitoring the moral and ethical issues confronting the community and remaining responsive to the needs of the people. Shall try to create an environment that insures that the conduct of opposing parties in any election reflects the highest ethical standards. Shall maintain neutral on political party affiliation and shall not endorse or support any political candidate for local, state or national election.

8. BUDGET & FINANCE: Shall be responsible for developing an annual fiscal year budget for approval by the First Saturday in December of each year.

ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may only be amended at a regular meeting or a special call meeting of the Alliance.

SECTION 1: Any proposed amendment of these Bylaws requires a two-thirds majority vote by the membership.

SECTION 2: Proposed amendments must be presented in writing to the President at least two (2) months prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

SECTION 3: Written copies of any proposed amendments, shall be forwarded by the President to the members of the Alliance at least one (1) month prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

ARTICLE XIV – DISSOLUTION/POWERS CLAUSE

“Upon the dissolution of your organization, assets will be distributed for one or more exempt Purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code or shall be distributed to the Federal government, or the state or local government for public purposes.”

2. We agree that no part of the net earnings of the organization will inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in our organizing document and our application for federal tax exemption. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax and under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170( c)2 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.”